Ukraine has initiated a counterattack in the southern border region of Kursk, Russia, asserting that Russia is receiving its just consequences. Andrii Kovalenko, the leader of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, confirmed that Ukrainian forces carried out surprise assaults on Russian forces at various locations across Kursk. This action follows Ukraine’s initial incursion into the region months ago. In a brief message on Telegram, Andriy Yermak from the Ukrainian Presidential Office expressed positivity about the situation in Kursk, mentioning that Russia is facing the repercussions of its actions.
The Ukrainian military made its first move into Kursk in August and has maintained control over much of the territory seized, despite Russian and North Korean forces attempting to push them back. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian counterattacks were launched in response to a Russian offensive but were ultimately repelled, with a specific incident near the village of Berdin noted.
The Kursk offensive, marking the first ground invasion of Russia by a foreign power since World War II, surprised both Russian and Ukrainian allies. While Ukrainian troops initially advanced swiftly, Russia eventually began to regain ground, resulting in minimal changes to the line of control in recent months. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the Russian army suffered significant losses in recent battles, including North Korean soldiers and Russian paratroopers near Makhnovka.
Unofficial Russian military sources corroborated the reports of ongoing conflict, with indications of Ukrainian forces advancing towards Berdin. Both sides are engaged in battles involving artillery, tanks, and other armored vehicles. Ukrainian and western sources estimate that around 11,000 North Korean troops are positioned in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces continue to hold territory following their incursion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the ongoing conflict in Kursk and expressed uncertainty about the strategic purpose of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ actions in the region. Despite the intensifying battles, the situation remains fluid with both sides actively engaged in military operations.
Incoming US President Donald Trump has expressed his intention to bring an end to the ongoing conflict swiftly, claiming he could achieve a ceasefire within 24 hours. However, he has not elaborated on the specific strategies he would employ to achieve this goal. Additionally, Trump has been noncommittal regarding potential future military assistance to Ukraine.
Recent statements made by Ukrainian President Zelensky have shed light on the dire situation faced by the North Korean military, citing significant losses. Zelensky has accused Russia of providing inadequate protection to soldiers deployed to the frontlines, exacerbating the already precarious conditions faced by Ukrainian forces.
CNN’s Rob Picheta, Gawon Bae, Victoria Butenko, Edward Szekeres, and Kostyantyn Hak have contributed to the reporting of these developments. For more updates and news from CNN, readers are encouraged to visit CNN.com and create an account to access additional content and newsletters.
